When I started working at Water Education Colorado in 2013, I was an interested citizen with a professional background in nonprofit work. I wasn’t from Colorado and didn’t know that much about water, but I came across this amazing organization that was looking for a development coordinator. As I prepared for my first job interview, I read through Headwaters magazines and Citizen’s Guides to learn more about the organization and more about water in Colorado. I wanted to have a greater and deeper understanding about water, not just for the job, but so that I too could help impact Colorado’s water future.

My involvement with Water Education Colorado is what sparked my interest in water, ignited my passion and gave me the tools to become a better advocate for our water’s future. That’s what is so great about this organization—it not only educates, but inspires. And does so with purposeful, creative and diverse non-biased programming. While Water Education Colorado programs reach people all across Colorado who are community & state leaders, environmental & agricultural professionals, educators, business owners, industry leaders, and more, they also reach everyday citizens ... like me. And that’s why I believe our work is so important.

I often think about my 2-year old son and envision what type of future I dream for him. I wonder what I can do to make his future better? I know that I want to encourage him to always give back and support the causes he believes in because when we do this, we contribute to a greater future and community for everyone. For me, Water Education Colorado has become one of those causes.

As I make my New Year’s resolutions for 2018, I want to better support the causes I truly care about—whether that be through greater financial support, volunteer support, advocacy support, or something else. I want to do better at investing in what really matters to me. I share this with you because you are supporting something you value and believe in, just by reading this newsletter. You are taking a step toward creating a better future for my son and for each one of us ... because education really can change lives. In this season of giving thanks, I want you to know I give thanks for you! Happiest of holidays and many blessings to you and your family.

Sincerely,

Alicia Prescott, Development Coordinator

Flex Time For Colorado Water

By 2050, Colorado could lose 500,000 to 700,000 acres of currently irrigated farmland to buy and dry in order to meet municipal growth demands, according to the 2010 Statewide Water Supply Initiative. Can we do better? Can we grow towns and cities and also corn and hay?

Yes, arguably, we can. New, innovative tools have been forged over the past several decades that seek to achieve this hydrological alchemy, where cities and farms grow side by side by sharing water, among them interruptible water supply agreements, split-season irrigation, and multiple-use decrees. The umbrella term used to describe such tools is ATMs, or alternative transfer methods. Read more about alternative transfer methods, water banking and the projects and pilot projects underway in this feature story, Flex Time For Colorado Water by Allen Best from the newest issue of Headwaters magazine.

CFWE Mission In Motion

Applications Open For The 2018 Water Leaders Program

Applications for the 2018 Water Leaders Program are open now through January 15, 2018! Please visit our website for all program details and to complete your application.

Interested in applying? Join us TODAY Dec. 13 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. for an informational webinar that will answer all of your questions. The webinar will cover:

Stephanie Scott, the Water Leaders Program Manager, will walk through the goals, expectations and commitment of the program

Cheryl Benedict with MORF Consulting will provide insight on the personal leadership and executive coaching received during the program

Three alumni from the 2017 class will share their personal testimony on how the program has impacted their lives professionally and personally

Interested applicants will have an opportunity to ask questions about the program

Please register for the webinar here even if you are unable to attend. The webinar will be recorded and sent to everyone who is registered.

Join Water Education Colorado And Your State Legislators Jan. 17

Our Legislative Lunch is an opportunity for any interested legislator to come hear about the state of water in Colorado and learn about resources and programs Water Education Colorado offers to help inform the decision making taking place under that gold dome. YOU ARE INVITED to listen in!

When: January 17, 2018, 12:00-1:00 p.m.

Where: Committee Room B in the Legislative Services Building across the street from the Capitol at 200 E. 14th Ave.

What: A conversation around water and policy for 2018 with Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg, Rep. Jeni Arndt, and former Colorado Supreme Court Justice Greg Hobbs. Lunch will be provided for state legislators only. Members of the press and public are welcome to listen in but must bring their own lunch. Participants will walk away with an understanding of some of the water-related bills that will be considered during the session and direction on where to go to continue to build water knowledge.

Webinar Recording Available: Aquatic Nuisance Species

In October the Colorado Water Congress and Water Education Colorado hosted a webinar on the threat of aquatic nuisance species, specifically zebra and quagga mussels, to our waterways and delivery systems in Colorado.

The recording is now available. Join us by listening to the recording here to learn about the threats these invasive mussels pose and how Colorado is working to educate the public and our policymakers so we can maintain healthy waterways and infrastructure.

Considerations In Implementing Regional Water Solutions

Thank you to the 100+ people who attended our Considerations in Implementing Regional Water Solutions Workshop in Colorado Springs. We had participants from all over Colorado representing many different professional sectors which made for great conversations and a ton of learning. A couple participants had this to say about the workshop:

"Regionalization is really hard to define, but in the end, it means developing partnerships to create efficiencies in developing new projects and supply."

"The level of interest in regional cooperation among municipalities and districts is greater than I anticipated."

Thank you to these sponsors for making this workshop possible

Upcoming Events

Save the date or get ready to register for these Water Education Colorado events and many more in the new year:

Webinar exploring conversations around the policy changes that might help the state reach its goal of sharing more water through alternative transfer methods coming early 2018.

Water Festival Coordinator Annual Gathering: Feb. 16, 2018

2018 Water Fluency class: Registration opens in February. Sign up here to receive notifications about the program

Climate and Colorado's Water Future Workshop: March 29, 2018, at the National Ice Core Laboratory

On Air: Connecting the Drops

Alternative Transfer Methods—A Solution To Colorado's Water Crisis?

With Colorado's population expected to almost double by 2050, water planners are scrambling to find enough water to quench the population's growing thirst. Although agriculture was once targeted as a possible source of water, the state's water plan identifies some alternatives to buy and dry and is encouraging creative solutions to share this precious resource. These are typically temporary leases, but a recent landmark deal sees one of these alternative transfer methods happen in perpetuity. Listen to the story here.

Aquatic Nuisance Species

Aquatic nuisance species can wreak havoc on ecosystems, outdoor recreation, hydroelectric power equipment and the economy. When dreaded mussel larvae were discovered at Green Mountain Reservoir in August, state leaders sent a plea for help all the way to the White House. Listen here for a story where reporter Hannah Leigh Myers joined a Colorado Parks and Wildlife Team to sample at Green Mountain Reservoir.

Member Happenings

Colorado Water Congress 2018 Annual Convention

Attend the 2018 convention at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center, Jan. 24-26. The event attracts more than 500 attendees that convene for networking and collaboration on the important water issues of the day. Registration is now open. Register and learn more here!

Colorado's Water Plan Turns Two! Read About The Water Plan In Action

November 2017 marked the water plan's two-year anniversary. To commemorate the occasion, the Colorado Water Conservation Board released Ripple Effects, a report that reviews actions found throughout the water plan and showcases many of the efforts from the past two years. Find Ripple Effects here.

Take The Next Step

Read the new issue of Headwaters magazine on alternative transfer methods, now available online and in print. Read articles or flip through the digital version here.

Check out the blogfor recent coverage of alternative transfer methods and stay posted for a new series looking at the implementation of Colorado's Water Plan.